A 54-year-old man presents with acute onset severe unilateral temporal headache, jaw claudication and visual blurring. ESR and CRP are markedly elevat...

Question

A 54-year-old man presents with acute onset severe unilateral temporal headache, jaw claudication and visual blurring. ESR and CRP are markedly elevated. Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis) is suspected. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Commence high-dose oral prednisolone immediately

Answer

Await temporal artery biopsy before treatment

Answer

Start low-dose aspirin only

Answer

Give non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs only

Answer

Reassure and review in one week

au-racp MCQ (SBA): Giant cell arteritis

A 54-year-old man presents with acute onset severe unilateral temporal headache, jaw claudication and visual blurring. ESR and CRP are markedly elevated. Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis) is suspected. What is the most appropriate immediate management?